Nativity The Musical

Sum up this production in a sentence?! It would have to be “sparkle and shine” as it really did from beginning to end! Based on the ever-popular film of the same name, the beautiful Regent Theatre gave its professional space to an extremely professional production.

This is a very well-known story thanks to its profile on screen but the musical version adds an element that only live theatre can; an indescribable magic! Especially when the execution was as flawless as it was here (and also the competing school’s production becomes a rock opera which is hilarious!). The creative team are to be roundly applauded not only for the very ambitious vision but in the execution – in the amateur world, moving flats can be a rare treat but here we had flying children! Intentionally flying, I should add!! The ambition was absolutely rewarded with the finished product, a reward shared and appreciated by the enthusiastic audience.

The direction, both musical and otherwise was absolutely on point. Not to say that there weren’t a few occasional (and very minor) vocal wobbles along the way but nothing that detracted at all from the overall impact of a very well-directed and choreographed show. The sound and lighting were doing everything they were supposed to do with no gremlins in evidence, the SFX were very effective.

Clever use was made of the screen at the back of the stage as well as a small screen that dropped when needed and this allowed the various locales to be easily but well staged. Well designed and placed props and set dressing completed where needed and this was kept pretty simple but effective. As mentioned, the set had some very ambitious components allowing us to see a singing “star” high above and a combination of aerial acting and clever visual effects gave us a primary school child ziplining down the side of a bell tower! All of this was executed at a level that would have been seen as very well done in any professional production.

It was an excellent quality cast throughout and as always, there was some amazingly talented youth performers on stage and it always fantastic to see these young actors of the future at the various stages of their artistic development.

The three friends of yesteryear that give us the basis for the plot, Jennifer, Paul and Gordon were ably portrayed by Leah Dowell, Dan Booth and Tom Pear, the latter giving us essentially a panto villain despite it not being a panto! I think the off boo was heard! Leah had us all rooting for Jennifer to return to Coventry (we all knew she wanted to really!) and Dan’s portrayal of the world weary and cynical Mr Maddens probably had teachers everywhere nodding in empathy. His reserved, laconic demeanour gave the perfect foil to the ball of chaos foisted upon him in the form of a teaching assistant, Mr Poppy. The headmistress responsible for this, Mrs Bevans, was perfectly played by Tracey Brough-Chesters (shame there wasn’t more singing with this part as her vocal is always fab!). The Lord Mayor, Patrick Burns & the producers were superbly portrayed by Simeon Green, Craig Armstrong & Jordan Harrison with Abby Evans, Zoe Regnauld, Aaron Richardson, Craig Scott-Patrick & Sam Lesniak rounding out the ensemble with strong performances across the board.

The principal youth performers were Dottie Brown, Henri Reynolds and Jude Holmes playing Star, Ollie & TJ. Some great talent on display even when being dangled above the stage in some cases, which was handled with great confidence and calm. Just a little special mention for Dottie as I need to know where such a big voice is hiding in a fairly little person! Another 29 awesome youth performers made up the ensemble adding their talent and energy to the whole.

And we had the awesome Theo as Cracker the dog. What a trouper with no sign that any of it was getting to him at all, even during the curtain call when the cheers and shouts were off the charts! What a star!! However, even being exceptionally cute and furry couldn’t quite secure him the award of scene stealer of the evening (and he was really cute!) as that moniker has to go to James Dawe as Mr Poppy. He really was quite exceptional even amongst this extremely talented cast and I can only assume he slept for a week after the final show, such was the level of energy invested into every second he was on stage (and even afterwards having selfies with the audience in the foyer!). A fantastic performance that outshone even your screen counterpart!

This was the first performance I have ever seen by Stage Productions and I shall be holding my breath in the hope I am invited again if this is the level of quality, talent and professionalism that is on offer. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to Christmas and I am sure that for all of you, it will be a successful 2026.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.